Amy Martin

Amy was born on Dec. 19, 1923, in Payette, Idaho, to Allen and Evelyn Pruden. She attended Grants Pass High School, graduating in 1941. She then enrolled at the University of Oregon, where she studied journalism. There, she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, a sisterhood she deeply cherished.

Amy married Don B. Martin of Grants Pass on Aug. 16, 1945, and they lived in Eugene while Don finished his master’s degree in physical education at the University of Oregon. While in Eugene, they welcomed the birth of their first daughter, Kathy.

After the family moved to The Dalles in 1951, three more girls joined the Martin clan, Mary (Mickey), Martha and Aileen. While in The Dalles, Amy was a dedicated volunteer for the PTA, Camp Fire Girls, The Dalles Hospital, the American Association of University Women and St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

In 1966, the family moved to Corvallis, where Amy was actively involved in many community organizations, including the Corvallis schools, the Assistance League of Corvallis, the Oregon State University Folk Club, Camp Fire Girls and the Old Mill Center for Children. Amy was proud to be a 54-year member of P.E.O. (chapters Q and CL), an organization that promotes the education of women.

Amy held leadership positions in many of these organizations and was recognized for her outstanding volunteer contributions. As a member of the Folk Club, Amy joined a bridge group in 1966 and continued to play with the group until her recent move to Portland.

Amy and Don began traveling the world in 1980 when they ventured to Thailand to visit family. Thus began their grand travel adventures as they took trips to more than 25 countries on four continents. Amy was a voracious reader and enjoyed meeting monthly with her book group, playing bridge, gardening, cooking and collecting antiques. She was a lifelong learner and a lover of history.

Her greatest joy, however, was spending time with her grandchildren, whether it was following their sports, reading to them, or teaching them to play cards and poker!

Amy was preceded in death by her husband, Don, in 2011. Amy was married to her “very best friend,” and together they created the blueprint for a long and happy marriage.

She is survived by her daughters Kathy (Coyne) VanderJack of Juneau, Alaska, Mary (Michael) Casey and Martha (Tom) Callahan of Portland, and Aileen (Roger) Lengel of Seattle, Washington; 11 grandchildren, Andrew (Margaret), Michael (Stephanie) and Mary VanderJack, Emily (Daniel) Casey Keller and Conor (Kelsey) Casey, Joseph (Nelly), Patrick, Sean and Brian Callahan, and Allison and William Lengel; and two great-grandchildren, James and Michaela VanderJack.

A celebration of life Mass is planned for 1 p.m. Monday, July 28, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Corvallis. Remembrances can be made to Old Mill Center for Children and Families, 1650 S.W. 45th Place, Corvallis, OR 97333; P.E.O., in care of Carol Gladwin, 6050 N.W. Fair Oaks Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330; or the OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop, 144 N.W. Second St., Corvallis, OR 97330